Gargoyle Rookery
Central Server & Data Processing Hub
The Gargoyle Rookery is the nerve center of your surveillance ecosystem, providing centralized data storage, video processing, AI-powered analysis, and web-based management interfaces. Built on commodity hardware and open-source software, it keeps all your surveillance data secure and local while providing enterprise-grade functionality.
Build Overview
⏱️ Build Time
3-5 hours
💰 Total Cost
$800-2000
🔧 Skill Level
Intermediate
💾 Storage
Multi-TB RAID
System Configurations
🏠 Home Setup
Coverage: 1-4 cameras
Storage: 4-8TB
Budget: $800-1200
- Intel NUC or Mini PC
- 2x 4TB surveillance drives
- Basic RAID 1 mirror
- Single Gigabit network
🏢 Small Business
Coverage: 8-16 cameras
Storage: 16-32TB
Budget: $1200-1800
- Mid-tower workstation
- 4x 8TB surveillance drives
- RAID 5 with hot spare
- Dual network interfaces
🏭 Enterprise
Coverage: 32+ cameras
Storage: 64TB+
Budget: $1800-3000
- Rackmount server chassis
- 8+ surveillance drives
- RAID 6 with multiple spares
- 10GbE networking
Parts List - Home Setup
This configuration supports 1-4 cameras with 30 days of continuous recording.
💻 Core Hardware
Mini PC / NUC
Intel NUC with quad-core i5, 16GB RAM, support for multiple drives
~$450 View on AmazonSurveillance HDDs (2x)
4TB WD Purple surveillance drives optimized for 24/7 operation
~$240 View on Amazon🌐 Networking
Wireless Access Point
Enterprise-grade WiFi 6 access point for mobile connectivity
~$150 View on Amazon⚡ Power & Protection
Build Instructions
Hardware Assembly
Assemble the core server hardware and storage system.
- Install RAM and NVMe SSD in the mini PC
- Set up surveillance drives in RAID 1 configuration
- Connect external storage enclosure via USB 3.0
- Install all equipment in the network rack
Network Configuration
Set up the network infrastructure for camera connectivity.
- Configure managed switch VLANs for security isolation
- Set up PoE ports for IP camera power delivery
- Install and configure wireless access point
- Implement network monitoring and alerting
Power Systems
Install UPS and power protection for reliable operation.
- Connect UPS to critical equipment (server, switch, modem)
- Configure UPS monitoring and automatic shutdown
- Install rack-mount power distribution
- Set up environmental monitoring sensors
Cable Management
Organize cables for maintenance and airflow.
- Use cable management arms for patch cables
- Label all network connections clearly
- Separate power and data cables to reduce interference
- Leave service loops for future maintenance
Software Stack
🐧 Base Operating System
Ubuntu Server provides the foundation for the Rookery system:
- Install Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS with minimal installation
- Configure automatic security updates and log rotation
- Set up SSH key authentication and disable password login
- Install fail2ban for intrusion prevention
💾 Storage & RAID
Configure resilient storage for surveillance data:
- Set up software RAID 1 using
mdadm - Configure LVM for flexible storage management
- Set up automated RAID monitoring and alerting
- Implement automated backup scripts
📹 Video Management System
Deploy open-source NVR software for video recording and management:
🤖 AI & Analytics
Add intelligent video analysis capabilities:
- Install TensorFlow Lite with hardware acceleration
- Deploy pre-trained models for person/vehicle detection
- Set up license plate recognition (OpenALPR)
- Configure facial recognition with privacy controls
📊 Monitoring & Dashboards
Implement comprehensive system monitoring:
- Install Prometheus for metrics collection
- Deploy Grafana for dashboard visualization
- Set up Loki for centralized log aggregation
- Configure AlertManager for notification routing
🔐 Security & Access
Secure the system with defense-in-depth approach:
- Configure UFW firewall with restrictive rules
- Set up OpenVPN server for remote access
- Deploy Nginx reverse proxy with SSL termination
- Implement RBAC with strong authentication
📱 Web Interface & Mobile Access
Dashboard Features
- Live View: Real-time camera feeds with PTZ controls
- Recording Playback: Timeline-based video search and playback
- Event Management: Motion alerts, AI detections, and notifications
- System Health: Server status, disk usage, and performance metrics
- User Management: Role-based access control and audit logging
Mobile Applications
- iOS/Android: Native apps for live viewing and push notifications
- Progressive Web App: Browser-based access with offline capabilities
- API Access: RESTful API for custom integrations
🔒 Data Privacy & Security
Local Data Storage
The Rookery is designed to keep all surveillance data on your local network:
- No Cloud Dependencies: All processing happens locally
- Encrypted Storage: All recorded video encrypted at rest
- Secure Transmission: TLS encryption for all network traffic
- Access Controls: Multi-factor authentication and role-based permissions
Compliance Features
- Data Retention: Configurable automatic deletion policies
- Audit Logging: Complete access and modification tracking
- Privacy Masking: Automatic blurring of sensitive areas
- Export Controls: Secure data export with watermarking
🔧 Maintenance & Backup
Automated Maintenance
- System Updates: Automatic security patches with rollback capability
- Drive Health: SMART monitoring with predictive failure alerts
- Storage Cleanup: Automatic deletion of old recordings per retention policy
- Performance Monitoring: Alerts for high CPU, memory, or disk usage
Backup Strategy
- Configuration Backup: Daily backup of system configurations and databases
- Critical Event Backup: Automatic offsite backup of flagged events
- Disaster Recovery: Complete system restoration procedures
- Testing: Regular backup verification and recovery testing
📈 Scaling & Expansion
🌐 Multi-Site Deployment
Connect multiple Rookery systems across different locations:
- Site-to-site VPN connections for secure communication
- Federated search across multiple installations
- Central management dashboard for all sites
- Distributed backup and redundancy
⚡ Performance Optimization
Upgrade components as your system grows:
- Add GPU acceleration for AI processing
- Implement 10GbE networking for high camera counts
- Deploy NVMe storage arrays for faster recording
- Add dedicated AI inference servers